FOLEY UP SIX POINTS IN CONNECTICUT GOVERNOR’S RACE, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS; VOTERS SAY REPUBLICAN IS BETTER ON ECONOMY, SPENDING

September 10, 2014pscullyGeneral NewsComments Off on FOLEY UP SIX POINTS IN CONNECTICUT GOVERNOR’S RACE, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS; VOTERS SAY REPUBLICAN IS BETTER ON ECONOMY, SPENDING

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From Quinnipiac University:

Connecticut likely voters say Tom Foley, the Republican challenger in the governor’s race, would do a better job than Gov. Dannel Malloy, the Democrat, handling two top issues, the economy/jobs and government spending, as they give Foley a 46 – 40 percent lead eight weeks before Election Day, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Among Connecticut likely voters who name a candidate, 69 percent say their mind is made up, while 30 percent say they might change their mind by Election Day. Their minds are made up, say 68 percent of Malloy voters and 77 percent of Foley backers, while 75 percent of Visconti supporters say they might change their mind.

“In our first likely voter poll, Tom Foley has the edge but Gov. Dannel Malloy is certainly within striking distance,” said Douglas Schwartz, PhD, director of the Quinnipiac University poll. “Foley has a double-digit lead among the key swing group, independent voters. With eight weeks until Election Day, there are 6 percent undecided and another 30 percent who say they could change their mind.”

“A difficult problem for Malloy to overcome is his high negative favorability rating, as 53 percent say they have an unfavorable opinion of him, including 40 percent who say they have a strongly unfavorable opinion,” Dr. Schwartz added.
“It is tough for a well-known incumbent to change voter opinion once formed. In contrast, only 33 percent have an unfavorable opinion of Foley.”

The economy/jobs matters most in their vote for governor, 40 percent of likely voters say, while 19 percent list government spending and 16 percent list taxes.

Foley would do a better job than Malloy handling these top issues, voters say:
• 54 – 37 percent on the economy and jobs;
• 59 – 31 percent on taxes;
• 54 – 36 percent on finding the right balance between needed and unneeded government
spending.

Looking at Malloy’s character traits, Connecticut voters say:
• 51 – 38 percent that he is honest and trustworthy;
• 48 percent that he cares about their needs and problems, while 46 percent say he doesn’t
care;
• 57 – 38 percent that he has strong leadership qualities.
Looking at Foley’s character, voters say:
• 44 – 28 percent that he is honest and trustworthy;
• 46 – 35 percent that he cares about their needs and problems;
• 53 – 24 percent that he has strong leadership qualities.

“Foley leads Malloy in large part because he is viewed by most voters as better able to handle pocketbook issues. Voters think Foley is better able than Malloy to handle their top issue – the economy and jobs. Foley also has big leads on taxes and government spending, while Malloy has small leads on gun policy and education.”

From September 3 – 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,304 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.